When it comes to adopting advanced AEC tech tools and processes, the nation’s largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms are feeling good, but not great, about their progress when compared with their direct competitors.
About half (42%) say their firm is “on par” with their most-direct AEC competitors, and more than a third (38%) are “somewhat ahead” of their market rivals. Just 4% are “significantly ahead” while a much more sizable group (16%) fears that their firm has fallen behind their key competitors on the AEC tech front. This explains the angst we’ve been sensing in the marketplace.
This data comes from BD+C’s inaugural Giants 300 Technology and Innovation Survey, which, as of May 23, had collected data from 105 AEC Giant firms. This research project is a companion to BD+C’s long-running (42 years!) Giants 300 Report, and aims to assess the state of technology adoption and innovation initiatives at the nation’s largest AEC firms.
While this project is ongoing (we hope to collect data from at least 200 firms by mid-summer), there are several intriguing takeaways from the data we have so far:
• Improved project team coordination was cited as the most significant business impact of AEC technology tools and processes. Three-quarters of responding firms named it among their top-three benefits of AEC tech. Other advantages cited often by respondents: improved client relations/vision meetings (40%); increased speed of work (39%); increased quality of work (37%); automates mundane tasks (35%).
• 3D laser scanning, real-time rendering, and design computation were cited most often as “high-ROI” tech strategies. Forty-two percent of respondents indicated that 3D laser scanning offered a strong return on initial investment; 40% for real-time rendering tools; 37% for design computation. Other tech strategies that ranked high for ROI: virtual reality (36%), 360 video/photos (26%), drones (23%), and artificial intelligence (13%).
• The majority of firms report a high “innovation conversion” rate. When asked to rate the success of individual innovation projects implemented within the past 24 months, nearly two-thirds of responding firms reported a success rate of at least 40% on projects. A sixth of firms are hitting on 80% or more of their projects.
• Two-thirds of responding firms have hired an “AEC outsider” within the past 24 months to help with their innovation efforts. The most common additions: software programmer, data analyst, game designer/VR specialist.
The full report from the Giants 300 Technology and Innovation Survey will be available for free download (short registration required) on September 6 at BDCnetwork.com/2019TechSurvey.
Related Stories
Giants 400 | Nov 6, 2017
Top 15 transit engineering firms
AECOM, STV, and Arup top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest transit sector engineering and EA firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Nov 6, 2017
Top 25 transit architecture firms
Jacobs, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and Perkins+Will top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest transit sector architecture and AE firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Nov 6, 2017
Top 40 military construction firms
Fluor, Gilbane Building Co., and Hensel Phelps top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest military sector contractors and construction management firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Nov 3, 2017
Top 20 military engineering firms
Burns & McDonnell, AECOM, and Mason & Hanger Group top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest industrial sector engineering and EA firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Nov 3, 2017
Top 25 military architecture firms
Jacobs, Michael Baker Intl., and HDR top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest military sector architecture and AE firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Nov 2, 2017
Top 80 industrial construction firms
Walbridge, Jacobs, and Fluor top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest industrial sector contractors and construction management firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Nov 1, 2017
Top 35 industrial architecture firms
Jacobs, Stantec, and BRPH top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest industrial sector architecture and AE firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Oct 31, 2017
A more intense shade of green
Zero-net energy, sustainability, and wellness are goals more developers and AEC teams strive for.
Giants 400 | Oct 30, 2017
Top 85 green construction firms
Turner Construction Co., Clark Group, and AECOM top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest green sector contractors and construction management firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Oct 30, 2017
Top 45 green engineering firms
WSP, AECOM, and Arup top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest green sector engineering and EA firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
